M + E Operations Manager

Knights Brown Construction Limited; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Knights Brown Construction Limited is seeking an M+E Operations Manager to lead MEICA-focused delivery within the DCWW Framework and related schemes. The role involves pre-construction support, scope definition, buildability assessment, programming, cost control, and liaison with clients and supply chain, plus site delivery and commissioning oversight.

The position requires leadership of cross-functional teams, strong stakeholder engagement, and ongoing development of MEICA competency.

Qualifications

• Leadership and people development
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Experience in MEICA or MEICA-enabled projects
• Ability to work across multiple frameworks and travel UK-wide

Responsibilities

• Provide MEICA input to preconstruction teams (ECI, outline and design stages) with methodology, resourcing, commissioning strategy and risk assessment.
• Attend tender handover meetings to understand project deliverables, scope, obligations and opportunities.
• Support customer relationships throughout project lifecycle to meet or exceed targets.
• Ensure MEICA compliance and technical governance across sites and installations.
• Review contract forecasts, value and costs; monitor risks and opportunities.
• Attend monthly contract reviews to align with deliverables.
• Support delivery teams on site with MEICA issues including design queries and procurement challenges.
• Drive site team performance through senior management collaboration and development.
• Promote innovation and share best practices; capture lessons learned and R&D opportunities.
• Stay updated on MEICA tech and digital tools and communicate updates to sites.
• Coordinate region-wide operational requirements and build capable site management teams.
• Collaborate with senior management to optimize resource deployment and planning.

Job description

Location: Primarily South Wales but UK travel required

Division: Water Sector: Water Frameworks

Role type: Operations Deliver complex wastewater infrastructure and treatment projects.

Role overview

Knights Brown is an independent civil engineering contractor delivering complex work across water utilities, energy, infrastructure, coasts & ports, and buildings.

We are looking for an M+E Operations Manager to help us deliver our growing portfolio of contracts with an M+E scope. Supporting our pre-construction team in our DCWW Framework in setting scope, defining buildability, creating programmes and cost and liaison with our Clients and supply chain. Then supporting our delivery teams on site and on the ground with successful delivery and implementation, integration, commissioning and handover.

Whilst the role is primarily focused around our DCWW framework there would be oversight and support for our Frameworks in YTL/WW and NWG (Essex and Suffolk). This is a strategic role that would suit a senior project or programme manager looking to take the next step in helping us grow our capability.

What you’ll be doing

• Provide MEICA specific input to the preconstruction team across ECI, outline and detail design stages, including methodology, resourcing, commissioning strategy, and technical risk assessment.
• Attend tender handover meetings to understand the project deliverables, including contract obligations, project scope & methodology, identified customer priorities (win themes) and risk & opportunities.
• Support the development of customer relationships throughout the lifecycle of projects to ensure identified targets and expectations are being met or exceeded.
• Provide MEICA specific input and support such that our site teams and site installations comply with relevant standards and technical governance is consistently applied across all sites.
• Review the contract performance forecast, projected value and forecast costs across projects with contract and/or project managers as applicable. Review the Risk & Opportunity schedules for projects in order that value is added and costs reduced, and risks mitigated.
• Attend monthly contract reviews chaired by project teams, to ensure contracts are being planned to meet the identified project deliverables.
• Support project teams in the resolution of significant problems on site, providing specialist support in resolving MEICA related issues, including design queries, procurement, commissioning challenges and interface management.
• Drive the performance of all site teams, through liaison with relevant contract lead supporting their development and maximising their potential.
• Ensure that innovation and best practice is shared across the business and where appropriate capture details which may constitute Research and Development.
• Attend post contract reviews within 6 weeks of completion and encourage continuous improvement. Ensure lessons learnt are communicated to others.
• Keep abreast of technological and contractual developments, such as emerging MEICA technologies, digital tools, automation systems, ensuring teams understand their application and benefits and sharing relevant updates with site teams.
• Review operational requirements across the region and create site management teams that are able to deliver projects in line with our guiding principles.
• Work closely with other members of senior management team to ensure efficient planning and deployment of resources across the sites in the region.
• Keep abreast of significant issues encountered on sites and assist with resolution if required, escalating to director level if appropriate.
• Champion MEICA competence development across the division, ensuring teams possess the technical capability required for safe and efficient delivery.
• Actively contribute to the development and delivery of the business priorities.

What we’re looking for

• Someone who can lead by example.
• Participate in setting the strategic direction of the business, and enable teams to deliver expectations.
• Communicate our vision and guiding principles; as essential to how we do business.
• Facilitate the development of professional, high performing teams and enable people to thrive.
• Embed a culture of respectful challenge; where feedback is continuously encouraged.
• Incorporate sustainable thinking in decision making; encourage adoption of good practice and innovation.
• Contribute to the continual improvement of the integrated management system (IMS) and Right Works code.
• Maintain awareness of company policies and procedures; ensure personal compliance and that of others.
• Show leadership in upholding and improving HSQE standards and prevent harm being caused to anyone as a result of their work at Knights Brown.
• Build and protect our reputation.
• Guide and support customer management; be ready to intervene to preserve relationships.
• Continue our professional development.
• Broaden the diversity of our people, creating inclusive teams.